Democrat Pete Buttigieg criticizes Trump's rollback of fuel-economy standards

Pete Buttigieg warns Trump fuel rules could cost drivers more The former transportation secretary says weaker fuel-economy standards could raise long-term costs for drivers and leave U.S. automakers further behind China.

Former U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg attends an NAACP fundraiser at Edisto Fork United Methodist Church on Aug. 22 in Orangeburg, S.C.

Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, a Democrat who served in the Biden administration, says the Trump administration's rollback of fuel-economy standards could leave drivers paying more over time and put U.S. automakers at a disadvantage globally.

Speaking with NPR's Leila Fadel, Buttigieg challenged the administration's claim that the change will make vehicles more affordable. The Transportation Department says the new standards could cut the price of a new vehicle by about $1,300. But the administration also estimates drivers could pay about $1,600 more in fuel costs over the life of a vehicle — a figure Buttigieg argued does not fully account for higher gas prices or tariffs affecting the auto industry.

The Corporate Average Fuel Economy, or CAFE, standards require carmakers to meet certain fuel-economy benchmarks as an average across their entire fleets.

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